Weight controlled automatic ice maker



Feb. 15, 1966 n. F. SWANSON 3,234,750

WEIGHT CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC ICE MAKER Filed Nov. 13, 1963 E 13 gg INVENTOR.

fionaZdffia/ansom J ,Quw, aw

United States Patent Oi.

3,234,750 WEIGHT CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC ICE MAKER Donald F. Swanson, St. Paul, Minn., assignor to Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 323,395 (Ilaims. (Cl. 62-137) This invention relates to ice making apparatus and in particular to control means for use in such apparatus.

In one form of well known ice maker, a slab of ice is formed and delivered onto a cutting mechanism which cuts the slab into a plurality of ice bodies. An excellent example of such an ice maker is shown in Ayres Patent No. 2,995,905. As shown in this patent, the cutter comprises a grid of electrically heated wires which effectively cut through the slab by melting the slab along preselected planes to form a plurality of ice bodies from the slab.

The ice bodies pass downwardly from the cutting means to be collected in a suitable storage bin. Heretofore, thermoresponsive means have been employed to sense the level of the collected ice bodies in the bin and discontinue operation of the forming apparatus when the level reaches a preselected high, or bin full, level. Such thermoresponsive level sensing devices have the disadvantage of requiring auxiliary heaters to prevent premature actuation, or in lieu of providing such auxiliary heater equipment, require that the circuit be arranged to permit the cutter to remain energized and provide sufficient heat to prevent such premature actuation.

The present invention comprehends an improved control for use in such an ice maker which eliminates the above discussed disadvantages of the known controls. Thus, a principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved ice maker control.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a control which is responsive to a condition in the collecting space other than a thermal condition therein.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a control which is arranged to de-energize the ice making apparatus whenever the level or" ice bodies in the collecting space is above a preselected level.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a control which is responsive to the weight of the ice bodies thereabove in the collecting space to control the operation of the ice maker.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of apparatus for providing a preselected supply of ice bodies comprising means defining a collecting space, means for forming ice bodies and delivering the ice bodies severally to the space, control means for controlling the forming means, and weight responsive means in the space and operatively associated with the control means to arrange the control means to cause the forming means to discontinue forming of ice bodies when the weight of ice bodies on the weight responsive means is greater than a preselected weight.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such apparatus wherein the weight responsive means comprises an elongated member extending horizontally across the collecting space having one end pivotally mounted on the space defining means and the other end disposed below and connected to the control means.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of an ice maker apparatus with a portion broken away to illustrate a level control means embodying the invention disposed therein;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section, taken substantially along the line 22 of FIGURE 1 Patented F eh. 15, 1966 FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary broken vertical section, taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG- URE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a schematic wiring diagram of the apparatus.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, an ice maker apparatus, generally designated 10, is shown to comprise an insulated cabinet 11, having a bottom wall 12, a left side wall 13, a middle wall 14, a rear wall 15, and a front wall 16 defining a collecting space 17. Directly above the collecting space 17 and within an upper chamber 18 of the cabinet is mounted a slab cutting mechanism 19, such as disclosed in the Ayres Patent No. 2,995,905 to which patent reference may be had for a detailed disclosure thereof. Briefly, however, the cutting mechanism comprises a frame 20 having a rectangular grid of electrically heatable wires 21 extended across the central opening of the frame whereby a slab of ice delivered onto the wires is cut into a plurality of generally parallelopiped ice bodies 22 by the melting of the ice slab along intersecting generally upright planes by the heated wires 21. As shown in FIG- URE 1, the ice bodies 22 fall downwardly from the cut ting mechanism 19 into the collecting space 17 for removal by the user as desired.

The present invention is concerned with the means for controlling the operation of the ice maker as a func tion of the level of ice bodies collected in space 17. Thus, it is desirable to maintain the collecting space effectively full of ice bodies at all times, automatically insuring operation of the ice making apparatus whenever the level drops below the full condition level and automatically terminating the operation of the ice maker when the level is restored to the full condition level. To this end, a level sensing device is provided in the form of an elongated member 23 which extends generally horizontally across the collecting space at a preselected distance above the bottom wall 12, as shown in FIGURE 1. Herein the elongated member 23 comprises a rod 24 and a superposed downwardly opening angle 25, as shown in FIG- URE 3. One end 26 of the rod is carried on the side wall 13 of the cabinet by means of a pivot 27 and the other end of the rod defines an upturned portion 28 and a horizontally turned distal end 29 resting on an actuator plunger 30 of a snap switch 31 carried on a bracket 32 on cabinet wall 14. The switch 31 may be a normally closed automatically resettable switch, such as General Electric switch 3ASM5A5C3 shown on pages 13 and 14 of the General Electric Apparatus Handbook May 29, 1961,

a in Section 3230. Thus, when the weight of collected ice bodies 22 acting downwardly on the member 23 becomes sufiicient to pivot the rod in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 1, to depress actuator 30 sufiiciently to throw switch 31, the switch 31 is thrown open to prevent operation of the ice maker and when the level is insufficient to so depress the actuator 30, the switch 31 is closed to permit forming of the ice in the apparatus 10. As the member 23 is disposed substantially below the control switch 31, passage of melt from the member 23 into the switch 31 is effectively precluded, thereby effectively precluding short circuiting of the switch. As shown in FIGURE 2, the member 23 may be disposed slightly rearwardly of the center of the space 17 The operation of the apparatus 10 may be seen by reference to the schematic electrical diagram of FIGURE 4. Thus, assuming that the level of ice bodies 22 in the collecting space 17 is below the desired full level, the switch 31 is closed thereby providing power from a suitable power supply lead L to one side of a water pump 33, a condenser fan 34, a hot gas solenoid 35, an overload protective device 36, and the primary winding 37 of a step-down power transformer 38. The other side of each of pump 33 and fan 34 is connected to a first fixed contact 39 of an ice thickness control switch 40 having a moving contact 41 connected to the other power supply lead L The other side of the solenoid 35 is connected to a second fixed contact 42 of the switch 40. The other side of the overload 36 is connected to the main windings of the compressor motor 43 and to a starting relay 44 for use in starting the compressor motor. The other side of the motor 43 is connected to the power supply lead L and the other side of the starting relay 44 is connected to a suitable capacitor 45 to the power supply lead L The other side of the transformer primary winding 37 is connected to the power supply lead L The grid wires 21 are connected in series with a fuse 46 across the secondary winding 47 of the transformer 38.

Thus, when the switch 31 is closed, the water pump 33, condenser fan 34 and compressor motor 43 are energized to build up the ice slab until such time as the slab reaches a preselected thickness, whereupon the switch 46 is automatically thrown to close the circuit through the hot gas solenoid and break the circuit to the pump and fan. Energization of the hot gas solenoid efiects release of the slab onto the cutter mechanism 19. The compressor motor is maintained in operation during both the forming of the slab and the release of the slab onto the cutting mechanism, as seen in FIGURE 4. Further, the transformer 38 is energized continuously at this time to provide electrical energy to the wires 21 whereby the slab of ice may be cut into the ice bodies 22, as discussed above. When the level of ice bodies reaches the preselected level and thereby the switch is opened as discussed above, the circuit to each of the pump 33, fan 34, solenoid 35, motor 43, and transformer 38 is broken, thereby shutting down the entire apparatus until such time as the level of ice bodies is lowered, as by the user removing ice bodies from the space 17, whereupon the switch 31 automatically recloses to permit subsequent forming of ice bodies, as discussed above.

Illustratively, the control switch may be arranged to open when a weight of approximately 14 to 22 ounces is applied to the actuator 30 by the rod portion 29. The switch may be arranged to close when less than ounces of weight is applied. With such an arrangement, it has been found that approximately two to three inches of ice bodies over the member 23 is sufficient to open the switch whereas a reduction to approximately one-half inch of ice bodies over the member 23 permits the switch to rcclose.

Thus, the switch 31 is actuated independently of the thermal conditions within the space 17 and is controlled rather by the weight of the ice bodies collected in space 17 above the preselected disposition of the member 23. Thus, the control permits complete de-energization of the ice making apparatus when the collecting space is full of ice bodies elfecting a substantial economy in the operation of the apparatus. The control system is extremely simple and economical and may be readily maintained for long control-free life. The arrangement of the member 23 effectively precludes false operation of the control as by undesirable passage of melt into the control switch 31 thereby assuring accurate control of the ice making function.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed is defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for providing a preselected supply of ice bodies, comprising: means defining a collecting space and having a bottom; means for forming ice bodies and delivering the ice bodies severally to said space; control means for controlling the forming means; and weight responsive means in said space spaced substantially above said bottom and extending horizontally less than fully across said space to permit ice bodies to pass therearound to below said Weight responsive means, said weight responsive means being operatively associated with said control means to cause said forming means to discontinue forming of ice bodies when the weight of ice bodies on said weight responsive means is greater than a preselected weight which is substantially less than the weight of the ice bodies in said space below said weight responsive means.

2. Apparatus for providing a preselected supply of ice bodies, comprising: means defining a collecting space; means for forming ice bodies and delivering the ice bodies severally to said space; electrically operable con-- trol means in said space for controlling the forming; means; weight responsive means in said space located so: that ice bodies in said space above a predetermined level will exert a downward force thereon; and means extend-' ing upwardly in said space from said weight responsive means operatively associating said weight responsive means with said control means to cause said forming means to discontinue forming of ice bodies when the weight of ice bodies on said weight responsive means is greater than a preselected weight and prevent passage of melt from said weight responsive means to said control means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said electrically operable control means includes a snap action switch actuated by said last-named means.

4. Apparatus for providing a preselected supply of ice bodies, comprising: means for defining a collecting space having vertical walls adapted to receive ice bodies and collect them in a generally vertical column; means for forming a plurality of ice bodies and delivering the ice bodies severally to said space over a major portion of said space whereby the upper surface of the collected ice bodies in said space is maintained substantially horizontal, switch means fixed to one of said Walls above the maximum desired level of ice bodies in said space, said switch means being connected to control the operation of said forming means; and weight responsive means in said space operatively associated with said switch means including a horizontal elongated member pivotally connected to another of said walls and extending across a substantial portion of said space, an angle member fixed on said elongated member to prevent the retention of ice bodies thereon, said elongated member being spaced above the bottom of said space and below said switch a distance whereby a predetremined weight of ice bodies in said space above the elongated member will exert a predetermined downward force thereon, said elongated member having a vertically extending portion with the distal end thereof adapted to engage and actuate said switch, said switch and elongated member being constructed so that said elongated member pivots when the force from the predetermined weight is exerted thereon and actuates said switch to terminate forming of ice bodies.

5. Apparatus for providing a preselected supply of ice bodies, comprising: means defining a collecting space having generally vertical walls; means for forming ice bodies and delivering the ice bodies to said space; control means controlling the operation of said forming means; and weight responsive means in said space and operatively associated with said control means to discontinue operation of said forming means when the force of the ice bodies on the weight responsive means exceeds that corresponding to a preselected weight of ice bodies, said weight responsive means being located within the collec-. tion of ice bodies at a position below the upper level and. above a substantial portion of the collection of ice bodies, when a desired quantity of ice bodies has been collected in the space, said weight responsive means being con-. structed to be responsive to the weight of ice bodies de-.

livered to said space only when the level of ice bodies in said space is above the level of said Weight responsive means.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said weight responsive means comprises an elongated member arranged to effectively preclude collection of ice bodies thereon whenever the level of ice bodies in said space is below said member.

7. Apparatus for providing a preselected supply of ice bodies, comprising: means defining a collecting space; means for forming ice bodies and delivering the ice bodies severally to said space; control means for controlling the forming means; and weight responsive means comprising an elongated member extending horizontally across said space and arranged so that ice bodies exert a downward force thereon only when the level of ice bodies in said space is above the level of the elongated member, said elongated member being operatively associated with said control means to cause said forming means to discontinue forming of ice bodies when the weight of ice bodies on said member caused by said force is greater than a preselected weight, said member being pivotally mounted at one end on said space defining means and being conected at the other end to said control means.

8. Apparatus for providing a preselected supply of ice bodies, comprising: means defining a collecting space having generally vertical walls; means for forming ice bodies and delivering the ice bodies to said space over a substantial portion thereof so that a generally horizontal level of ice bodies is maintained; control means controlling the operation of said forming means; and Weight responsive means in said space and operatively associated with said control means to discontinue operation of said forming means when the force of the ice bodies on the weight responsive means exceeds that corresponding to a preselected Weight of ice bodies, said Weight responsive means being located within the collection of ice bodies and below the upper level of the ice bodies when the desired quantity of ice bodies has been collected in the space, said weight responsive means including an elongated horizontally extending member, said member being pivotally connected at one end to one of said walls and extending across said space in the path of ice bodies from said forming means, the other end of said elongated member being adapted to engage and actuate said control means, said weight responsive means being constructed to be responsive to the Weight of ice bodies delivered to said space only when the level of ice bodies in said space is above the level of said weight responsive means.

9. Apparatus for providing a preselected supply of ice bodies, comprising: means defining a collecting space having generally vertical walls; means for forming ice bodies and delivering the ice bodies to said space over a substantial portion thereof so that a generally horizontal level of ice bodies is maintained; control means controlling the operation of said forming means; and weight responsive means in said space and operatively associated with said control means to discontinue operation of said forming means when the force of the ice bodies on the weight responsive means exceeds that corresponding to a preelected weight of ice bodies, said weight responsive means eing located within the collection of ice bodies and below the upper level of the ice bodies when the desired quantity of ice bodies has been collected in the space, said control means including switch means within said space and fixed to one of said walls, said switch being located above the level of ice bodies corresponding to said predetermined weight whereby the switch is isolated from the ice bodies, said weight responsive means being constructed to be responsive to the weight of ice bodies delivered to said space only when the level of ice bodies in said space is above the level of said weight responsive means.

1%. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 and further including an angle member fixed to and coextensive with said elongated member to prevent the retention of ice bodies thereon.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 409,331 8/1889 McFarland ZZZ-58 2,891,385 6/1959 Nelson 62-137 3,021,686 2/1962 Alt 62344 X ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner. 

1. APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A PRESELECTED SUPPLY OF ICE BODIES, COMPRISING: MEANS DEFINING A COLLECTING SPACE AND HAVING A BOTTOM; MEANS FOR FORMING ICE BODIES AND DELIVERING THE ICE BODIES SEVERALLY TO SAID SPACE; CONTROL MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE FORMING MEANS; AND WEIGHT RESPONSIVE MEANS IN SAID SPACE SPACED SUSBTANTIALLY ABOVE SAID BOTTOM AND EXTENDING HORIZONTALLY LESS THAN FULLY ACROSS SAID SPACE TO PERMIT ICE BODIES TO PASS THEREAROUND TO BELOW SAID WEIGHT RESPONSIVE MEANS, SAID WEIGHT RESPONSIVE MEANS BEING OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID CONTROL MEANS TO CAUSE SAID FORMING MEANS TO DISCONTINUE FORMING OF ICE BODIES WHEN THE WEIGHT OF ICE BODIES ON SAID WEIGHT RESPONSIVE MEANS IS GREATER THAN A PRESELECTED WEIGHT WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THE WEIGHT OF THE ICE BODIES IN SAID SPACE BELOW SAID WEIGHT RESPONSIVE MEANS. 